Praying for an Unbeliever
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 NASB). If you asked 50 random people, “How do you get to Heaven?” you’d get a lot of different answers. But most of them would be based on the idea that you can (and have to) earn your way to Heaven. You’d hear things like, “Try to be good, and do your best” or “Do more good things than bad things in life.” Those ideas are all based on works, not grace.
But Romans 3:24 says, “All need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ” (NCV). God says that salvation is absolutely free to receive! You don’t work for a gift, and you can’t earn it or buy it.
This is the fundamental difference between Christianity and every other religion. Every other belief system can be summarized by one word: “do.” You do certain things to gain bliss, gain Heaven or some other kind of eternal reward, and gain God’s approval.On the other hand, you can summarize Christianity in one word: “done.” Jesus Christ paid for our salvation on the cross, and now he offers his grace as a free gift. That’s why Jesus Christ, when he was hanging on the cross, stretched out his arms and said, “It is finished.” What’s the “it”? It’s our salvation — the plan to provide grace for every person who needs it.
We all have people in our lives who do not have a relationship with Jesus. They may include family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances. The Bible says to pray for their salvation. In fact, Jesus “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4 CEB), so when we pray for the salvation of an unsaved person, we are doing what pleases God.
We can trust that God’s love reaches everywhere and everyone. His power is limitless, and his forgiveness is endless. Your prayers for people who do not know the hope we find in Christ do not go unheard. Keep on praying, and don’t lose heart.
What people are you praying for who don’t yet know Christ?
How can you thank God for those people’s presence in your life? How can you pray for people who disagree with you or openly reject Scripture?Here is a sample prayer for unbelieving friends:
“Lord, I know there are people who don’t have a relationship with you. Perhaps they know about you; they have heard your name. They just don’t you as their personal Savior. I pray that you would give them the courage to open their heart and mind and life to you. Lord, help them with their unbelief. May they learn to trust you and love you. Use me as a bridge to their belief. Keep me faithful in prayer.”
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 NASB). If you asked 50 random people, “How do you get to Heaven?” you’d get a lot of different answers. But most of them would be based on the idea that you can (and have to) earn your way to Heaven. You’d hear things like, “Try to be good, and do your best” or “Do more good things than bad things in life.” Those ideas are all based on works, not grace.
But Romans 3:24 says, “All need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ” (NCV). God says that salvation is absolutely free to receive! You don’t work for a gift, and you can’t earn it or buy it.
This is the fundamental difference between Christianity and every other religion. Every other belief system can be summarized by one word: “do.” You do certain things to gain bliss, gain Heaven or some other kind of eternal reward, and gain God’s approval.On the other hand, you can summarize Christianity in one word: “done.” Jesus Christ paid for our salvation on the cross, and now he offers his grace as a free gift. That’s why Jesus Christ, when he was hanging on the cross, stretched out his arms and said, “It is finished.” What’s the “it”? It’s our salvation — the plan to provide grace for every person who needs it.
We all have people in our lives who do not have a relationship with Jesus. They may include family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances. The Bible says to pray for their salvation. In fact, Jesus “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4 CEB), so when we pray for the salvation of an unsaved person, we are doing what pleases God.
We can trust that God’s love reaches everywhere and everyone. His power is limitless, and his forgiveness is endless. Your prayers for people who do not know the hope we find in Christ do not go unheard. Keep on praying, and don’t lose heart.
What people are you praying for who don’t yet know Christ?
How can you thank God for those people’s presence in your life? How can you pray for people who disagree with you or openly reject Scripture?Here is a sample prayer for unbelieving friends:
“Lord, I know there are people who don’t have a relationship with you. Perhaps they know about you; they have heard your name. They just don’t you as their personal Savior. I pray that you would give them the courage to open their heart and mind and life to you. Lord, help them with their unbelief. May they learn to trust you and love you. Use me as a bridge to their belief. Keep me faithful in prayer.”
Back to the Wilderness
And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. Leviticus 26:12
The Lord bade the Hebrews return and go into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea. They were very near the good land, but, by their wicked rebellion, they forfeited the protection of God. Had they received the report of Caleb and Joshua, and gone immediately up, God would have given them the land of Canaan. But they were unbelieving and showed such an insolent spirit against God that they brought upon themselves the denunciation that they should never enter the Promised Land. It was in pity and mercy that God sent them back by the Red Sea, for the Amalekites and Canaanites, while they were delaying and murmuring, heard of the spies and prepared themselves to make war with the children of Israel.
"And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me." The Lord told Moses and Aaron to say to the people that He would do to them as they had spoken. They had said, "Would God we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!" Now God would take them at their word. He told His servants to say to them that they should fall in the wilderness, from twenty years old and upward, because of their rebellion and murmurings against the Lord. Only Caleb and Joshua should go unto the land of Canaan. "But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised."
The Lord declared that the children of the Hebrews should wander in the wilderness forty years, reckoning from the time they left Egypt, because of the rebellion of their parents, until the parents should all die. Thus should they bear and suffer the consequence of their iniquity forty years, according to the number of days they were searching the land, a day for a year. "And ye shall know My breach of promise." Caleb and Joshua were promised a reward in preference to all the host of Israel, because the latter had forfeited all claim to God's favor and protection.
DON'T GET DISQUALIFIED
And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you." 1 Samuel 13:13.The moment we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we are enrolled in a spiritual race. One of the mandates of any competition is that we play by the rules or we will be disqualified. This is true in every race, but perhaps especially so in the spiritual one.
First Samuel gives us the story of King Saul, a man who did not play by the rules. He began his reign in victory and ended in humiliating defeat. He lost his character, power, crown, and in the end, his very life. Based on Saul's life, let us share some few principles on how not to win the spiritual race.
Ignore the Little Things
The Lord bade the Hebrews return and go into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea. They were very near the good land, but, by their wicked rebellion, they forfeited the protection of God. Had they received the report of Caleb and Joshua, and gone immediately up, God would have given them the land of Canaan. But they were unbelieving and showed such an insolent spirit against God that they brought upon themselves the denunciation that they should never enter the Promised Land. It was in pity and mercy that God sent them back by the Red Sea, for the Amalekites and Canaanites, while they were delaying and murmuring, heard of the spies and prepared themselves to make war with the children of Israel.
"And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me." The Lord told Moses and Aaron to say to the people that He would do to them as they had spoken. They had said, "Would God we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!" Now God would take them at their word. He told His servants to say to them that they should fall in the wilderness, from twenty years old and upward, because of their rebellion and murmurings against the Lord. Only Caleb and Joshua should go unto the land of Canaan. "But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised."
The Lord declared that the children of the Hebrews should wander in the wilderness forty years, reckoning from the time they left Egypt, because of the rebellion of their parents, until the parents should all die. Thus should they bear and suffer the consequence of their iniquity forty years, according to the number of days they were searching the land, a day for a year. "And ye shall know My breach of promise." Caleb and Joshua were promised a reward in preference to all the host of Israel, because the latter had forfeited all claim to God's favor and protection.
DON'T GET DISQUALIFIED
And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you." 1 Samuel 13:13.The moment we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we are enrolled in a spiritual race. One of the mandates of any competition is that we play by the rules or we will be disqualified. This is true in every race, but perhaps especially so in the spiritual one.
First Samuel gives us the story of King Saul, a man who did not play by the rules. He began his reign in victory and ended in humiliating defeat. He lost his character, power, crown, and in the end, his very life. Based on Saul's life, let us share some few principles on how not to win the spiritual race.
Ignore the Little Things
Saul's failure was not immediate, but when pride turned into envy, and he ignored what God had plainly told him to do. Likewise, it is not for us to pick and choose what parts of the Bible we like and don't like. We are to obey God even in the smallest matters, because "small" sins turn into big sins. They certainly did for Saul.
Never Take Responsibility for Your Actions
Never Take Responsibility for Your Actions
More than once Saul blamed others for his own bad choices. Saul just wanted to save face. He forgot that no matter what, God knows the truth.
Get Jealous, be Driven by Hatred
Get Jealous, be Driven by Hatred
Saul's animosity ultimately destroyed him. He became jealous when God anointed and began using David, the young shepherd boy. We need to understand God chooses whom He will choose. Don't let jealousy and hatred destroy you.
God has given you, like Saul, potential. He has given you certain talents and gifts. It is up to us to run the race well and play by the rules. Don't get disqualified. Don't allow disobedience, pride, jealousy and hatred to destroy your future. Walk by the Spirit and live by the Word of God.
Prayer: Ask the Lord to guide and lead you in all your ways so that you will not be disqualified for the reward.
BIBLE TEXT:
God has given you, like Saul, potential. He has given you certain talents and gifts. It is up to us to run the race well and play by the rules. Don't get disqualified. Don't allow disobedience, pride, jealousy and hatred to destroy your future. Walk by the Spirit and live by the Word of God.
Prayer: Ask the Lord to guide and lead you in all your ways so that you will not be disqualified for the reward.
BIBLE TEXT:
1 Samuel 13:1-15
1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 2 Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent. 3 And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear!"
1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 2 Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent. 3 And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear!"
4 Now all Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines. And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal. 5 Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits.
7 And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. 8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 So Saul said, "Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me." And he offered the burnt offering. 10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. 11 And Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash,
12 then I said, 'The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.' Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering." 13 And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you." 15 Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people present with him, about six hundred men. [NKJV]
THE MARK OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN
Isaiah 46:9-10; 9. Remember the former things of old: for I am God and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:"The Word of God is the only firm foundation. We have only one true God. His Word is the only Truth. Whatever is God's will, it shall be done. Genesis 2:18; "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should not be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."
Isaiah 46:9-10; 9. Remember the former things of old: for I am God and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:"The Word of God is the only firm foundation. We have only one true God. His Word is the only Truth. Whatever is God's will, it shall be done. Genesis 2:18; "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should not be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."
A virtuous woman is admired, accepted, is modest, distinguished, respectful of everyone, and has a Christ-like mindset; she is a Biblical mother who continues to press on through all adversities and storms. God actually calls a lady a helper. The woman was actually fashioned, which means there were many more details than there were for a man, who was created. She was not formed from the ground but from a man's rib. She is articulate and unique. The only person who has a clear idea of a woman as a lady is the Creator of all things. A distinguished, virtuous woman knows that the Word of God can tell her what she is supposed to be.
In order to enjoy who you are in the Lord, you must commit yourself to God's Word and prayer; she is hidden in Scripture. She cleans herself up and makes herself presentable, not just on the surface but her inner being, to please the Master, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You have Jesus to run to when you don't have anyone else. His love never fails. Jesus will meet all of your needs when your husband doesn't. The Lord will take care of you. The virtuous woman identifies with Christ. If you put your husband above God, you set yourself up for failure.
Psalms 139:14: "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
A virtuos woman will make God as her first priority and she knows her role as a helper; she appreciates her body image; she is happy with her looks. She understands God only looks at the heart; she will not allow people to define her; she knows her identity in God. She knows the order of her family. The man is the head of his family and the woman is the helper. God is the one who empowers her.
Ephesians 5:22-23;
22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."
22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."
A virtuos woman submits to her husband as she would the Lord. She does for her husband without murmuring and complaining as unto the Lord. The Word of God is true and is clear on God's plan and order of a family. She prays with and for her husband.
When God is the center of your relationship, you have the reassurance that everything will be beautiful and successful. A woman who understands God's plan and the order of God, will be a wonderful wife and helper for a man. She is committed to her family. She will teach her children the love of God and His Word and live accordingly. Proverbs 31:10-31, describes the characteristics of a virtuous woman. A virtuous woman must perform all the duties God has called her to do.
